Argument over paper leads to big pot bust

An argument over a Sunday paper led to a big marijuana bust for Salt Lake police.

Just before 8:30 a.m. Sunday, two people got into what officers described as a "heated" argument over a Sunday newspaper, said Salt Lake police detective Jeff Bedard. A 911 call was placed from the residence, but the caller hung up before talking to dispatchers.

Police were sent to the house anyway, near 800 East and 2200 South. When they walked inside the house, they saw several drug paraphernalia items lying out in the open, Bedard said. Further questioning led to the discovery of a "significant" marijuana-growing operation inside the house, he said.

The officers obtained a search warrant and went back into the house, where they found elements of the marijuana operation in the laundry room and a closet in the bedroom, Bedard said. A total of 28 plants were seized as well as other paraphernalia.

A 54-year-old man was arrested for investigation of domestic violence and drug possession.